DOMA is Dead, Prop 8 is No More but the Fight for Marriage Equality Continues

On a day that will echo throughout our nation’s history, in a 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act putting an end to a giant hurdle members of the LGBT community faced in their fight for marriage equality.

While this doesn’t legalize same-sex marriage in states which currently don’t allow it, what this does mean is that the federal government must recognize same-sex marriages that were performed in states which have legalized it.

Possibly the biggest part to this is that same-sex couples will now be entitled to federal benefits in the same way as heterosexual couples.

The court also put an end to Proposition 8 in California, meaning that same-sex marriage has been given a green light to move forward in the state.

One area the Supreme Court didn’t address is the national issue of marriage equality. Meaning that states which have bans on same-sex marriage can continue to deny same-sex couples their right to marry.

While this is a great day for equality and human rights, there’s still a lot of work to be done.

What bothers me is the “5-4” ruling. Because in all of my political debates, there’s yet to be a single person who’s been able to present me with an argument against same-sex marriage that didn’t violate our First Amendment.

So to see 4 Supreme Court Justices vote against striking down this blatantly unconstitutional law is appalling.

Honestly, what arguments do those who stand against same-sex marriage have? If you take out all the religious rhetoric, which the First Amendment protects Americans against, what else do they have?

Those are three of the main “arguments” (not including the religious arguments which I simply dismiss) I’ve heard against same-sex marriage—and they’re all ridiculous. Because you could use similar “arguments” against a lot of heterosexual marriages.

And don’t give me the “same-sex marriage threatens the sanctity of marriage” b.s. Divorce and heterosexuals did that long ago. My favorites are those like Rush Limbaugh and Newt Gingrich who talk about “preserving the sanctity of marriage”—two men who have a combined seven marriages between the twoof them.

Oh, and here are a couple of added kickers, just for fun:

Rush Limbaugh’s most recent wife is 25 years younger than he is. He’s 62 and she’s 37.

Newt Gingrich’s most recent wife is 23 years younger than he is. He’s 70 and she’s 47.

Essentially both of these men could be their wife’s father. But that’s defending the “sanctity of marriage?” Spare me.

And I’m sure the religious fanatics are out in force, claiming this ruling signals the end of the United States as “God’s wrath will now come down upon us.” I encourage you to remind them, Canada has had legalized same-sex marriage since 2007—and they’re doing just fine.

But while today is a day to celebrate, there’s still a long road ahead.

Until same-sex marriage is allowed in every state, with the exact same protections and rights as heterosexual couples, this fight will continue. But this is a great victory for the LGBT community, equal rights and human rights.

So to all those same-sex couples who are one step closer to true marriage equality…

Allen Clifton is a native Texan who now lives in the Austin area. He has a degree in Political Science from Sam Houston State University. Allen is a co-founder of Forward Progressives and creator of the popular Right Off A Cliff column and Facebook page. Be sure to follow Allen on Twitter and Facebook, and subscribe to his channel on YouTube as well.